Returning a dash of experienced seniors and a splash of talented juniors, the recipe may spell success for the Oroville High 2007 football program.

With 40 players coming out for the team and 20 of them returning varsity players, the Tigers have plenty of players to fill leadership roles from a team that finished 4-6 last year, playing in the Eastern Athletic League.

Oroville head coach Scott Johnson said that this team”s chemistry has made this the best three weeks of football he”s had in 30 years of coaching.

“We”re all excited about this year. The coaching staff is really looking forward to this,” he said. “We are strong on offense, but our defense is going to be key.”

Johnson said it”s tough for his offense to practice against the defense because it is so stout.

“We”ve added a few new wrinkles to the defense and they”re really bringing it in practice,” he said. “They”re coming right after us.”

“Right now Craig as a senior has the nod, but I”m really pleased with Tyler”s play,” Johnson said. “They”re both really good quarterbacks. I like what I”m seeing.”

Jeffery and Schmautz will be handing the ball off to three seniors in the wing-T offensive set. Harley Kreisman, Trey Barnes and Jeff McCann will be grinding out the yards from the backfield.

“They”ve all had lots of (varsity) playing time. We have a lot of good senior leadership,” Johnson said.

Add in senior Greg Smith, who is coming off an injury, and juniors Chaston Howard and Charlie McCullough, and the Tigers should be set as long as they stay healthy.

Johnson said he has enough quality linemen to start either all seniors or all juniors and they”re all quality players.

With seniors Matt Fredrick, Chas Dugan, Travis Chew, Nick Carrico and Zach Corbaley working with juniors Josh Workman, Mike Hopkins, Jacob Corbaley and Dillon Scism, Johnson is pleased with the way the team is shaping up.

Add in some hands in wideouts Ricky Jahanigan, R.J. Reynolds, Jack Fryer and Kyle Siaz and the Tigers have multiple options and weapons at their fingertips.

Johnson said the Tigers had a great summer with players dedicated to hitting the weight room and coming into practice strong and conditioned.

“I think people are going to be really excited to watch Oroville football this year,” Johnson said.